Jill Harrington, Jessica Harrington and Katie Dwyer, Tralee, with Colm Cooper at the launch of his autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

MORE than 800 people were in Killarney’s Gleneagle Hotel last night for the launch of Colm Cooper’s autobiography.

The Kerry GAA legend signed copies of ‘Gooch’ for up to two hours before taking the stage where MC Michael Lyster interviewed Colm about the book and his career.

Also interviewed were journalists Vincent Hogan and Tony Leen, while Dr Crokes and former Kerry boss, Pat O’Shea and fellow club man Kieran O’Leary also paid tributes.

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Colm thanked the crowd for attending and said he blown away by the turnout for the launch. He said he never thought as a seven year old “small red-haired boy from Ardshanavooly” kicking a football around the estate, that he would grow up to have such success.

He said he was lucky to have been nurtured by the family that is Dr Crokes GAA club and was delighted to see so many from the club in the room last night.

Colm also spoke about breaking into the Kerry team back in 2002 — “a ten stone boy would not be allowed play in Croke Park now!” — and how he had to pinch himself being in the same dressing room as Darragh O Sé, Seamus Moynihan, Liam Hassett and others.

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He said they never thought they would enjoy such success in the Noughties and while the medals and titles were great, the most important thing for him was the friendships made, the camaraderie among teammates and the relationship with Kerry GAA and his club Dr Crokes.

Colm has a busy weekend ahead as he will also be interviewed on The Late Late Show tonight before lining out for Dr Crokes in their Kerry SFC semi-final against West Kerry tomorrow in Fitzgerald Stadium. ‘Gooch’ is available to buy now at all bookshops. Scroll down for photos…

Colm Cooper at the launch of his autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Stephen Stack with Colm Cooper at the launch of his autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Eileen Barrett and Pauline McElligott, Ballylongford, with Colm Cooper at the launch of his autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Kathleen O’Brien, Killarney, with Colm Cooper at the launch of his autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Catherine O’Connell and Margaret O’Sullivan, Listowel, with Colm Cooper at the launch of his autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Brendan Falvey and Triona Brassil with Colm Cooper at the launch of his autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Chairman of Dr Crokes GAA Club, Denis Coleman, with Colm Cooper at the launch of his autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Mary Rose Cantillon and son Gavin Deasy at the launch of Colm Cooper’s autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Bryan Sheehan and Leo Randles at the launch of Colm Cooper’s autobiography in the Gleneagle Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

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They were well stocked up at the Gleneagle Hotel for the launch of Colm Cooper’s book on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean